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Production Issues with M240?


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"blind faith, fanboyism and drinking the kool-aid" are all very pejorative expressions about people that are not angry at Leica for some reason or another. I'm sure Leica is eager to meet the demand for their M camera. ....so am I a fanboy besotted with kool-aid?

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"blind faith, fanboyism and drinking the kool-aid" are all very pejorative expressions about people that are not angry at Leica for some reason or another. I'm sure Leica is eager to meet the demand for their M camera. ....so am I a fanboy besotted with kool-aid?

 

I didn't know Kool-Aid caused that with people. I prefer German wheat bier.

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I didn't know Kool-Aid caused that with people. I prefer German wheat bier.

Those who drank from the proverbial Kool-Aid died from cyanide, so we will soon know who did.

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"blind faith, fanboyism and drinking the kool-aid" are all very pejorative expressions about people that are not angry at Leica for some reason or another. I'm sure Leica is eager to meet the demand for their M camera. ....so am I a fanboy besotted with kool-aid?

 

I certainly did not mean for my comments to be taken as derogatory to any specific person or group of people. I used these terms in an attempt to make readers of this thread not simply accept edicts from Solms without question and to acknowledge the possibility that such statements might be filled with hyperbole and spin in order to calm fears amongst customers over the lengthy shipment delays.

 

I do not believe the explanation that "overwhelming demand" is responsible for these delays and believe Leica has been shipping far less than 50 units per day around the world.

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I [...] believe Leica has been shipping far less than 50 units per day around the world.

That's what I'd assume, too. If I remember correctly, the production of the M9 originally started at a rate of approx. 40 units per day and gradually increased to 80 - 100 units per day before the discontinuation thereof. With a new product, I'd guess it's back again to 40 units per day or thereabouts. New processes and workflows need to be established and stabilised before production numbers can be ramped up to where the previous product's used to be.

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That's what I'd assume, too. If I remember correctly, the production of the M9 originally started at a rate of approx. 40 units per day and gradually increased to 80 - 100 units per day before the discontinuation thereof. With a new product, I'd guess it's back again to 40 units per day or thereabouts. New processes and workflows need to be established and stabilised before production numbers can be ramped up to where the previous product's used to be.

 

Combined with the not inconsiderable effort involved dealing with the continuing daily flow of recalled cameras.

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I doubt that - that is handled by CS, which is a different division in a different building. I should think that project has finished by now, though.

 

Which is coincidentally at the same time as there being now a "steady trickle" of M's coming out of Solms. Hmmmm. :eek:

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So you're calling Leica liars aren't you.

 

I don't believe Leica have not told any lies, but I do believe they have not told the entire truth.

 

Demand is one of the factors affecting deliveries to customers, and certainly the example of the X Vario affirms that with low demand Leica is able to stock the shelves, but it is not the only factor and the lack of ongoing worldwide shipments with any sort of regularity points to a more complex answer.

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I am pleased to see reports coming in that the new X-Vario is indeed a step up from the X2 and closer to the feel of the M240. We now all know it is not a mini M but would I be right in thinking that Leica introducing a new line (if that is what it is, or a cross between the X2 and the M240, albeit with a zoom) would impact on the production of the M. They already have the S as well as the M and the X lines not to mention the V Lux as well, and I am guessing introducing the X-Vario would not impact on the M. Leica would have a separate production for this new camera. In any case I think Leica could maybe manage expectations better. Be realistic and not try to bring it to market too soon if indeed the demand was beyond what they expected. Leica's customers are a much loyal than many others, maybe down to the quality of the products, certainly the longevity concerning lenses etc. The new factory being up and running still seems a long way off and is going to take a long time to fulfil all the M orders.

 

Brian

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You are certainly right that bringing the M to the market at a rather early stage has bred much of the present discontent, but then they were more or less forced to do so by the date of the Photokina. At least they had working prototypes and not a wooden model ;)

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You are certainly right that bringing the M to the market at a rather early stage has bred much of the present discontent, but then they were more or less forced to do so by the date of the Photokina. At least they had working prototypes and not a wooden model ;)

 

Note to Leica. Photokina is every two years, around the 20th September.

The next one is 16-21 September 2014. Pop it in your diaries, I wouldn't want it to adversely force you into a compromising market position.

 

You're welcome.

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You are certainly right that bringing the M to the market at a rather early stage has bred much of the present discontent, but then they were more or less forced to do so by the date of the Photokina. At least they had working prototypes and not a wooden model ;)

 

If at Photokina they had indicated shipping by this September instead of March them maybe they could have met that target.

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Note to Leica. Photokina is every two years, around the 20th September.

The next one is 16-21 September 2014. Pop it in your diaries, I wouldn't want it to adversely force you into a compromising market position.

 

You're welcome.

You would force them to speed up the development process at the cost of quality? Anyway, with a development cycle of approx. 3 years the most we can expect in 2014 will be an M-Typ 240 -2.

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